Splinters

“Splinters” is the inaugural full-length documentary that explores the growth of native surfing culture in Papua New Guinea, a country still in development. In the 1980s, an adventurous Australian pilot abandoned a surfboard in the coastal village of Vanimo. Two decades later, surfing has become a central aspect of village life and a source of status. With limited opportunities for economic or educational progress, and lacking basic amenities like running water and electricity, the village remains isolated. Earning a place on the national surfing team of Papua New Guinea offers the sole opportunity to experience the broader world.